But one corner of the British food industry is benefiting from the crisis: Speciality meat suppliers are reporting a roaring trade in horse.

Julia Toomey of Kezie Foods in Scotland says she is selling more horseburgers than ever:

“Because of this scandal that’s broken out, people are quite curious to taste it. So sales have increased at least 100 percent in the last few weeks. People are wanting to try it.”

As in the U.S., there is still a powerful taboo in Britain about eating horse. But the scandal has cast an accidental light on the potential benefits: Horsemeat is said to be healthier than beef, with half the fat and more protein -- and it’s up to five-times cheaper.